No dive in pool attendance

PRINCETON — It’s been a good summer for swimming, according to Beth Weger, aquatics director for the Princeton Park District.

At this week’s meeting of the Princeton Park Board, Weger said she was happy with the attendance numbers this season at the Alexander Park outdoor pool. There were several factors which led to the good numbers.

Reviewing the season, Weger said the outdoor pool was open 12 weeks this year, compared to 10 weeks last year. Also the pool was open an hour later, until 6 p.m., after receiving numerous complaints from the public about last year’s 5 p.m. closing time. Also, adult swim was offered every day, compared to three days a week last year, Weger said.

With the added hours, salary expenses were up this year, Weger said. However, she did offset the cost during the adult swim time by not scheduling a guard but only a manager who would be at the pool anyway to get it ready for the open swim time.

Another change which worked well this summer was the new pool pass punch card, Weger said. She also implemented a new $2 special after 3 p.m., as well as kept the $2 Tuesday special as before.

Looking ahead to future improvements at the outdoor pool, Weger said she’d like to get some shaded areas for families with young children, as well as a mushroom and lily pad floating features.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, Elaine Russell, executive director, gave an update on the district finances, saying the district has an increase of $172,812 in the bank compared to last year at this time. Monthly expenses have been set at $126,000 for the new fiscal year, compared to the $113,000 monthly expense goal set for last year. Two months into the new fiscal year, fund balances are just where they should be at this time of the year, she said.

Russell also gave an update on needed repairs of cracks along the edges of the Zearing Park walking path and in the original parking lot. Bids will be opened next week with the bid results presented for board action at the Oct. 1 meeting. Hopefully, both the walking path and parking lot will be resurfaced next year, she said.

The board also heard from park district attorney Bob Russell asking the board to begin the process of issuing its annual general obligation bonds. The board directed the attorney to put a notice in the newspaper with a public hearing to be held on the proposed bonds. Like last year, the board anticipates issuing $800,000 in general obligation bonds for the current fiscal year.